AT&T Bolsters Managed Security Services

AT&T introduced Tuesday two managed services aimed at helping businesses of all sizes keep their networks and devices secure.

The security event and threat analysis service offers enterprises the ability to evaluate and report on the security risks of a company's devices and networks. It also offers quick notification of security events, as well as security analyst counseling during security incidents. This service can be embedded, or can be provided as an on-premise offering.

The carrier is also introducing a security device management service, which gives companies the ability to monitor and manage their security hardware and software such as firewalls, intrusion detection sensors, and virtual private networks. The service is customizable to an individual company's needs, and can include assessing, designing, and implementing security infrastructures.

"Faced with shrinking budgets and complex, growing threats, businesses and federal government agencies are increasingly turning to AT&T to help safeguard and simplify their IT infrastructure as they prepare for an economic recovery," said Edward Amoroso, Chief Security Officer for AT&T, in a statement.

This is just the latest move by AT&T to increase its security offerings, as it recently purchased VeriSign's security consulting unit to boost its security offerings to corporate customers. The company said this deal will help it identify vulnerabilities, meet industry compliance standards, and defend companies against attacks.

As companies combine video, voice, and data onto security networks, enterprise security is becoming more complex. AT&T is trying to capitalize on this field, as IDC estimates the annual market for U.S. IT security will hit $11.7 billion this year.

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